Information sessions explain welfare changes

Scottish Borders Council logo''April 2009

Published:14:29Wednesday 14 October 2015

Share this article

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has set up a programme of welfare benefits information sessions to help people with a learning disability and their family carers find out how they may be affected by continuing changes to the welfare benefit system.

T he sessions are free and open to anyone living in the Scottish Borders who has a learning disability and their family carers.

Advisers from Scottish Borders Council’s Welfare Benefits Service will provide an overview of the current benefits situation before being available to answer any questions. Anyone attending will also be able to meet advisers on an individual basis to talk about their own circumstances.

The sessions will take place on Monday, October 19 (2-4pm), at Old Gala house, Galashiels; Thursday October 22 (1-3pm) at Teviotdale Leisure Centre, Hawick; Friday October23 (2-4pm) at Abbey Row Community Centre, Kelso, and on Friday October 30 (2-4pm) at Peebles Community Centre.

Councillor Frances Renton, SBC’s executive member for social work and housing said: “There have been a number of changes to welfare benefits in recent years and this gives people with a learning disability and their family carers an opportunity to find out more about how they could be impacted and get the information and guidance they need.”

Councillor Renton went on: “Two of the main changes they might be dealing with include the recent launch of Universal Credit in the Borders and the transfer from Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payment.

“I would encourage people with a learning disability and their family carers to come along to their nearest session to make sure they are well informed about the changes and that they are receiving the benefits they are entitled to.”

Trending

Hawick man denies sex attacks on girls

Iain is named Langholm Cornet 2018

Hawick woman given supervision order for assaulting police officers and causing rumpus